Photographic printing device



4, 1931. F. BERN I PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING DEVICE Filed June 30. 1930 INVENTOR 5y. 6. Frank fiem Patented Aug.- 4, 1931 1 UNITED STATES rm! BERN, 01' CLEVELAND, OHIO rno'roomnrc rnnrrme nmca Application fled June 80,

This invention relates to improvements in photographic printin devices for use in making by pro ection rdered photographs, such as enlar ements.

The genera objects of the present invention are the provision of an improved printing device of this character which photogra hs having hotographically produced inner rders may ie easily, quickly l and convenienlty made, and without liability of misalignment or improper spacing of the inner border of the picture relative to the image portion thereo Consequently, there is no loss of time or material due to faulty 1 work and because of this and because of the quickness and ease with which the bordered hotographs can be made, the cost thereof can be quite materially reduced. Of equal, if not greater importance, however, is the enhanced U attractiveness of the photographs due to their inner borders, especially since said, borders can be made in various shapes and designs and in either light or dark shades.

As to the construction of the device itself, it is extremely simple, so that it can be manufactured and sold at low cost. Moreover, it is of rugged character and will therefore sucfleissfully withstand considerable rough hanmg. n Further and more detailed objects of the invention are in part obvious and in partwill ap ar more in detail hereinafter. y

e invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which i Fig. l is a top plan view of the present improved rinting evice, with the ima mask remove( Fig. 2 is a similar view, with said image mask in masking osition; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, ut with the inner border mask in non-masking position; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the 'device'with the parts thereof in somewhat the position shown in Fig. 3, said device being arranged upon a suitable su port with a piiotograghic printing paper s eet arranged low sai device; Fig. 5is a top plan viewof the device with the image mask removed and with the inner border mask in non-masking 'with a modified by the use of- Serial I0. 464,857.

position; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 3, orm of image mask in mask- 111%P0Sltl011.

eferring now to said drawings, the photographic prlntin device therein illustrated as lncludes a suitab e outer border mask I having a central light-transmitting area 2 surrounded by an opaque area 3. Said lighttransmittin area may be of any desired size and shape, t e area here shown being,of recco tangular shape and being longitudinall positioned relative to the mask; said mask in also of rectangular sha While said mas may be made of any suitable material, either molded rubber or sheet metal is quite satis e factory, and the light-transmitti area thereof may conveniently be formed y cutting a suitable opening therein, as will be readily understood.

The rectangular inner light-transmitting area 2 0 said outer border mask is for the transmission of the image part of the picture and the surrounding marginal portion 6 of said area is for the transmission of light for the inner border part of the picture. Obviously, the im and inner border parts ofthe picture must made by separate exposures, so that means must be provided for covering or maskin each part while the other is being expose I to the light in the so printing operation.

'In addition to the outer border mask 1, the present printing device includes two other masks, namely, an inner border mask and an image mask, said other or additional masks bein made of any suitable material, such as mol ed rubber or sheet metal. r

The inner border mask comprises a hghttransmitting area 10a and an opaque area 10, said opaque area surrounding said hg'hlt- 0o transmitting area. The light-transmlttmg area of this inner border mask is, of course, an image-exposing area, so that sald area is of the same size and the same sha as the im e-exposing portion 5 of the lig t-transas mittmg area 2 of the outer border mask 1. In reality, and as will be readily understood, the light-transmittin image-exposing area of the inner bor er mask defines the boundaries of the image-exposing portlon 5 of the loo rtion 5 of the 70 light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask. In practice, the light-transmitting area of the inner border mask, just as in the case of the light-transmitting area of the outer border mask, is a simple opening in said mask. Inasmuch as the inner border mask is hinged at 16 and thereby permanently con-,

nected to the outer border mask, the same portion of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask will always be used as the image-exposing portion of said area, as will be readily understood.

The opaque area 10 of the inner border mask is for the purpose of masking or covering, during the printing of the image part of the photographic printing operation, the inner border-exposing portion 6 of the lighttransmitting area 2 of the outer border mask 1. While said opaque area 10 may be of the same size as said light-transmitting portion 6 of the outer border mask, said opaque area, in the present embodiment of the invention, is of slightly greater width than that of said light-transmitting portion 6, so that this opaque area 10 of the inner border mask slightly overlaps, when said inner border mask is in masking position, the inner part of the opaque area 3 of the outer border mask.

The image mask is, of course, for the purpose of masking or covering, during the printing of the inner border part of the photographic printing operation, the ima e-exposing portion 5 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask. The image mask 12 shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 has its entire area opaque, said mask being of the same shape and size as the image-exposing portion 5 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask and also, of course, of the same shape and size as the ima 'e-exposing area 10a of the inner border mask. Therefore, to properly position the image mask in masking position relative to the light-transmitting image-exposing portion 5 of the outer border mask, it is only necessary to place said image mask within the light-transmitting opening 10a of the inner border mask (said inner border mask being, of course, in masking position, as shown in Fig. 2), in which opening 10a said image mask just fits. Thereafter, the inner border mask is swung to nonmasking position, leaving the image mask in proper masking position, all as shown in Fig. 3 and as will be readily understood.

While the inner border mask, in the present embodiment of the invention, is hinged at 16 and thereby permanently connected to the outer border mask, the image mask 12, as well as the modified form of image mask 14 hereinafter referred to, are free of connection to said outer border mask and said inner border mask, said image masks 12, 14 being separate, removable members. For convenience in moving the inner border mask and the image masks into and out of masking position with respect to the outer border mask during the photographic printing operation, the inner border mask and the two image masks are each provided with a suitable handle or knob 17.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modified form of image mask, said mask being designated by the reference numeral 14 and being shown in masking position relative to the outer border mask 1. This image mask 14 may be of any desired size, shape and design, depending upon what ornamental effects in the picture are desired. For example, this image mask 14 may be used in givin the picture its only inner border or it may Tie used to give the picture an additional or supplemental inner border, of either plain or fanciful design. If desired, this mask 14 may be of the same size and shape as the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask and rovided with one or more light-transmittmg portions to expose therebelow the necessary part or parts of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask, either of the inner border-exposing portion 6 or of the image-ex osing portion 5 thereof, or of both, to pro uce in either, or. in both, the desired border or design.

In the present instance, however, the image mask 14 has no light-transmitting portions but is a simple opaque member slightly smaller in size than the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask. The image mask 14 therefore differs from the image mask 12 in that it is larger, the mask 14 being of such size that it not only covers or masks the image-exposing portion 5 of the lighttransmitting area 2 of the outer border mask, but it also covers or masks a part of the inner border-exposing portion 6 of said light-transmitting area. As shown in Fig. 6, when this image mask 14 is in masking position with respect to the outer border mask, the outer edge part of the marginal or inner borderexposing portion 6 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask is exposed, so that a narrow inner border is made on the picture in outwardly spaced relation to the image portion thereof. This narrow border may be the only inner border the picture is given, or such border may be a supplemental inner border located at the outer edge of a plain inner border previously produced by exposing to the light the inner border exposing ortion 6 of the light-transmitting area 2 of tiie outer border mask, the inner border mask during said exposure being, of course, in non-masking position and the image mask 12 being in masking position with respect to the image-exposing portion 5 of the lighttransmitting area of the outer border mask, all as will be readily understood.

In order that the present image mask 14. may be easily and quickly positioned in proper masking position with respect to the a Fig. 5, arran 66 ing of the image portion light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask, and thereby enable the inner border produced by the use of 'said image mask 14 to be of proper width throughout, means is 5 provided for fixing or determining the proper maskin position of the mask 14 relative to said lig t-transmitting area 2. Inasmuch as this light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask is in the form of an opening, said fixing or predeterminin means is here shown as in the form of pro ections which are arranged in (pairs at the corners of the image mask 14, sai projections engaging theinner edges of the opaque area 3 of the outer border 15 mask around the light-transmitting opening 2 thereof. By means of these projections 20, the ima e mask 14 can be easil and quickly centers or properly positione in the lighttransmitting o ning 2 of the outer border 39 mask, all as wi be readily understggd.

otograp such as In making bordered p enlargements, the present device is used as follows:

Let us assume that the enlargement is to be made on an eleven by fourteen inch sheet of photo-sensitive paper. and that the usual or standard size for the image portion of a icture on a sheet of such size is six by ei ht inches. The photographer selects from iiS so set of printing devices of the character here shown, one w chhas an eleven by fourteen inch outer border mask provided with a central or li ht-transmitting area slightly larger than 81! y eight inches, the additional part as of said area being for the inner border part asmuch as said outer border mask and said sheet coincide as. to their outer dimensions. The nner border mask is down in masking tion, as shown in Fig. 2, but neither the image mask 12 nor the image mask 14 is now so used. The central or image-receiving tion of the photo-sensitive sheet is there ore now exposed through the central or imageexposing portion 5 of the light-transmitting area of the outer border mask, all as clearly I5 shown in Fi 1. The enlarging camera is now opera and the image portion of the picture is rinted by this exposure.

Since t e inner border mask is permanently connected to the outer border mask,

00 by the hinges 16 in the present instance and,

since the image-exposing opening 10a of said inner border mask defines the image exposing portion 5 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask, Proper positionthe picture on the photo-sensitive sheet 21 is always assured if proper re ration of the outer border mask and sai sheet is obtained.

After the image portion of the picture has been thus printed, said portion is masked or covered up b the image shield 12, as shown in Fig. 2. the ima mask 12 is quite simple to obtain since said mask just fills the li ht transmit ting opening 10a of the inner rder mask, which mask is still down in masking osition. If the li ht-transmitting area 0 the outer and inner order masks are in the form of openings, as they are inthe present instance, then the image mask 12 should preferably have a thickness greater than that of said outer border mask. Therefore, when the image mask 12 is positioned within the light-transmitting opening 100 of the inner border mask, there will be no liability of said image mask sliding laterally beneath the opaque area 10 of'said inner border mask, as will be readily understood. The resent image mask 12 is shown in Fi 4 as aving -a thickness substantially equa to the combined thickness of the outer border mask and the inner border mask, althou h it is only necessary that the outer edge 0 the image mask 12 be of a thickness or a height greater than the thickness or hei ht of the inner edgeof the opa ue area 3 o the outer border mask surroun ing the light-transmitting opening 2 thereof.

After the image mask 12 has been thus placed in masking position, namely, after said mask has been placed in such position as to just cover up t e image-exposing portion 5 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask the inner border mask is swung to non-masking osition, as shown in Fig. 3. The inner border exposing portion 6 of the light-transmitting area 2 of the outer border mask isnow exposed, and by again turning on the light in the enlarging camera, a simple plain inner border is photogra hically produced on the photo-sensiroper masking positioning of tive s eet '21 around the image rtion of the icture Lust printed thereon. aid inner bor er of t e picture will be, of course, of

the same size and shape exposin portion 6 of the lig t-transmltting area of t e outer border mas and by simply regulatingthe duration of the exposure the color of said inner border can be made eii 181' light or dark, the longer the exposure, the darker the border.

If it is desired to provide the picture with an additional inner border, then the ima mask 14 is now used. The image mask 12 is removed,- leaving the entire light-transmitting opening 2, of the outer border mask exposed, as shown in Fig. 5. The image mask 14 is now positioned within said light-transmittin opening2, its fiposition in saidopening being etermined or xed by the engagement as the inner border of the spacing or centering projections 20 of said image mask 14 with the inner edge of the opaque area 3 of the outer border mask surrounding said opening. The outer edge parts of the picture inner border previously made are now again exposed and by again turning on the light in the enlarging camera, an additional and darker inner border is photographically produced upon the picture at the outer edge of the inner border previously prodluced therein, all as will be readily understoo If the inner border produced by the use of the image mask 14 is the only border desired for the picture, then the image mask 12 is not used. After the image portion of the picture has been printed as above described. the inner border mask is swung to non-masking position, as in Fig. 5, and the image mask 14 is positioned in place within the light-transmitting opening 2 of the outer border mask, just as previously explained.

It is the practice of many photograhers to provide each of the photographs made by them with some identifying marking and this may be photographically accomplished with the present device. In the opaque area 3 of the outer border mask 1, say just below the right-hand side of the light-transmitting area 2 thereof, the photographers name, initials or emblem may be provided in lighttransmitting form, two initials 24 being here shown. These light-transmitting initials are covered or masked during the image exposing part of the photographic printing operation by the inner border mask, but said initials are exposed whensaid inner border mask is in non-masking position, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, during the printing of the inner border of the picture, the image mask 12 or the image mask 14 being used, or both being used, the light-transmitting Initials 24 are exposed to the light of the enlarging camera. If both image masks 12, 14 are used, the initials 24 will appear on the outer border portion of the picture in a darker shade than would be the case if only one mask were used, the shade of said initials being that of the supplemental or additional inner border which is produced with the use of the image mask 14.

As in the case of the border or borders of the picture, these identifyin initials of the photographer will always e properly spaced or positioned with respect to the ima e portion of the picture, so that there can no loss of time or material due to faulty work cause by misalignment or improper spacing of either the border of the picture or of the hotographers identifying marking.

From the foreging, it will be appart ii that there is almost no limit to the character of designs or inner borders with which the pictures may be provided, all as will be readily understood.

What I claim is:

a 1. A photographic printing device. for making bordered photographs by projection, comprising three masks, an outer border mask, an inner border mask, and an image mask; said outer border mask having a lighttransmitting area and an opaque area, said light-transmitting area comprising an imageexposing portion and an inner-border-exposing portion, said opaque area, during the entire photographic printing operation, lying above and constituting the mask for the outer border portion of the printing paper sheet which is to receive the bordered photograph; said inner border mask being movable into and out of masking position relative to said outer border mask and having a light-transmitting image-exposing area corresponding in-size and shape with the image-exposing portion of the light-transmitting area of the outer border mask and also having an opaque area, said opaque area, during the printing ofthe image part of fthe photographic printing operation, constituting the mask for the inner-border-exposing portion of the lighttransmitting area of the outer border mask; and said image mask being movable into and out of masking position relative to said outer border mask and having an opaque area constituting the mask for the lmage-exposing portion of the light-transmitting area of the outer border mask during the printing of the inner border part of the photographic printing operation.

- 2. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the outer dimensions of said outer border mask coincide with those of the photographic printin paper sheet which receives the bordered p otograph, so that registration of said mask and said sheet is simple and easy to obtain.

. *3. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said inner border mask is permanently connected to said outer border mask and in that said image mask is free of connection to said outer border mask.

4. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said inner border mask is permanently connected by hinge means to said outer border mask and in that said image mask is free of connection to both said outer border mask and said inner border mask.

5. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1 .characterized in that the light-transmitting area of said outer border mask is a single opening in said mask.

6. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the light-transmitting areas of said outer and inner border masks are openings in said masks.

7. A photographic printing device as set I forth in claim 1, characterized in that said inner border mask is permanently connected to said outer border mask and in that said image mask is free of connect-ion to. both said outer border mask and said inner border mask and characterized further in that the lighttransmitting area of said inner border mask is an opening in said mask, said opening being of the same size and shape as the imageexposing portion of the light-transmitting area of the outer border mask, and characterized further in that said image mask is of such size and shape as to just fit within said opening, whereby proper positioning of said image mask with respect to the image-exposing portion of the light-transmitting area of said outer border mask is always insured.

8. A photographic printing device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that said inner border mask is permanently connected to said outer border mask and in that said image mask is free of connection to both said outer border mask and said inner border mask and characterized further in that the lighttransmitting area of said outer border mask is a single opening in said mask and in that the light-transmitting area of said inner border mask is an opening in said mask and characterized still further in that the outer edge of said image mask is of greater height than that of the edge of the outer border mask surrounding the light-transmitting opening therein.

In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature.

FRANK BERN. 

